Saskatchewan's Carly Ahlstrom named CW Player of the Year

CALGARY - Saskatchewan's Carly Ahlstrom has been named the 2023 Canada West Women's Basketball Player of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.

The Huskies have won two of the six major awards, while their provincial rival, Regina has also doubled up on these prestigious titles. Edmonton schools, Alberta and MacEwan, combine for the final two.

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Carly Ahlstrom

Carly Ahlstrom was the power behind a powerhouse team this season. The fourth-year guard averaged 20.4 points and eight rebounds a game, the star of her first-place 17-3 Saskatchewan Huskies. A remarkable player to watch, Ahlstrom attacked opponents from all over the floor, creatively slicing through defenses, skillfully knocking down shots, and fearlessly fighting off double teams.

The Calgary, AB product led her Huskies through every situation, taking them on her back when they needed it most. She seemed to live for the big moments, shining brightest against the toughest opponents.

Ahlstrom finished the regular season second in the conference in scoring, sixth in the country. She did this while sharing the ball with all-star calibre teammates and grinding out opponents on the defensive end.

The multi-talented threat simply knows how to win. Her drive and commitment show in her game.

"Carly quite simply had one of the most impressive regular season campaigns in Huskie history. Known for her 3pt range and athleticism attacking the rim, Carly has worked very hard on her game to become a three-level scorer and threat from anywhere on the floor. She is a fierce competitor who is humble and quick to divert the spotlight. Carly is a four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and is a member of the Huskie Athletic Council Executive."
​- Lisa Thomaidis, Head Coach, Saskatchewan Huskies

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Claire Signatovich

Claire Signatovich evoked fear across the conference this season. The third-year forward led Canada West in blocks-per-game and rebounds-per-game with 1.9 and 12.6 respectively.

The talented defensive player possess a high basketball IQ, allowing her to read plays to get in front of them. Her speed, strength and grit make the perfect combination. She averaged 1.6 steals a game, a rare feat for a forward.

Signatovich broke several school records this season: career blocks (75), season blocks (38) and season offensive rebounds (94).

Her value to the Pandas cannot be overstated, on both ends of the court. Her 13 double-doubles this season also set a Pandas record and ties her for eighth in the conference books.

Signatovich is also a two-time Academic All-Canadian in the Faculty of Engineering.

“Claire is an anchor of our team defense. Her ability to track rebounds, alter shots, and guard multiple positions make her a force on the defensive end of the floor. She is one of the most gifted defenders we have ever coached. The combination of her athletic attributes, leadership, and competitiveness have been keys to our teams' success this season.”
​-Scott Edwards, Head Coach, Alberta Pandas

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Logan Reider

Logan Reider did not take long to get comfortable on a Canada West court. The rookie shot daggers into her opponents, knocking down big threes from all angles. She showed the poise of a veteran, unshakable under pressure.

In addition to her shooting abilities, the Saskatoon, SK product showed excellent ball control. She found her teammates with ease, displaying mature vision. Reider was able to get to the rim with a crafty hook shot, working her way around bigger opponents with her skill and speed.

Reider averaged 11.1 points with the conference-leading Saskatchewan Huskies, a deep program with many capable scorers. She was able to stand out to play a big role for them while fitting into their offensive schemes. The rookie shows Huskies fans a lot of promise for the future.

"Logan had a remarkable first season as a Huskie. She averaged over 11pts per game and set the Huskie single season 3pt shooting record for a first-year player. Her poise, work ethic and competitive fire had a huge impact on a team that finished atop the Canada West regular season standings."
​- Lisa Thomaidis, Head Coach, Saskatchewan Huskies

COURAGE OVERCOMING ADVERSITY AWARD: Madeleine Tell

Madeleine Tell is the definition of inspiration. The fourth-year guard has overcome so much in her Canada West career. In March of 2021, Tell's father was diagnosed with cancer. He passed less than a year later. At the time, Tell was rehabbing from an ACL surgery and torn labrum. But the physical, emotional and mental pain didn't stop her from lacing up with her team.

The young student-athlete grieved her father's death last year, facing each first holiday or milestone without him. In the grips of this emotional turmoil, Tell played starting guard for the Cougars. She was having a strong season in Regina when another injury struck in December. Tell tore her ACL.

This newest challenge was not going to stop her. Tell returned to the court after the holiday break in a knee brace. Four games in, to the shock and dismay of her teammates and friends, she dislocated her shoulder. Her third major injury took her out until the end of the regular season. But she again chose resilience. Tell will dress for the Cougars for the playoffs, showing nothing this world can throw at her will keep her down.

Despite grieving and dealing with the mental and physical challenges that accompanied her injuries, Tell has been an Academic All-Canadian and shows up every day with an admirable attitude. She's a pillar of hope and inspiration for everyone who is suffering or grieving.

"Having coached when Tracy MacLeod played in the conference and went through the adversity that led to the national award being named after her, I know Maddie is a great representative of what this award means. It's not just for someone who deals with extraordinarily difficult circumstances, but the way they go through it and come out the other side. Maddie has gone through so much, but she has kept her passion for the sport and for her team. Even when she had her most recent setback a week ago, her first priority was to immediately focus on how best to recover from the injury. I hope no one would have to go through what Maddie has gone through in the last year and a half, but I will always use her as a shining example of how to handle great adversity." ​
​-Dave Taylor, Head Coach, Regina Cougars

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER: Shannon Majeau

Shannon Majeau is a picture of consistency is every aspect of her life: on the court, in the classroom, and in her community. Majeau has been a leader for her Griffins, while earning a 4.0 GPA in honours psychology and volunteering her time on and off campus.

A graduate this year, Majeau leaves Canada West with some major accolades to her name. She ranks third all-time MacEwan's CW era in career minutes played (2,278), fifth in career points (673), second in rebounds (428), fifth in blocks (21) and third in free throws (171).

She did this while winning five U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian Awards, and is on track to win her sixth. That would be a first for a Griffins' student-athlete.

During the 2022-23 season, she served as president of the Griffins Athletics Student-Athlete Council, helping to organize on-campus initiatives such as Mental Health Week, Sexual Violence Prevention Awareness Week and Pride Week.

Throughout the year, Majeau also volunteered at other campus initiatives like Salvation Army’s Santa’s Workshop, Bell Let’s Talk week and served as a student-athlete mentor with Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton. In addition, she volunteers with Limitless Athletics, helping run volleyball and basketball skill camps.

“Shannon has been the picture of consistency. She is steady and reliable. On court and off court, she has been a leader in this program from the day she stepped foot on campus. She has a calm, quiet demeanour, but when she speaks, people listen. On court, she has brough a consistency as a scorer, a rebounder, and a defender. We're really going to miss her."
​-Katherine Adams, Head Coach, MacEwan Griffins

COACH OF THE YEAR: Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor is no stranger to success. The Regina Cougars' coach has amassed a sparkling 252-78 (.763) record through the 2022-23 season. This year, he made his Cougars the team to beat, as they led CW for much of the season. The team finished second in RPI, tied for the best record at 17-3.

Taylor coaches a well-rounded team that has learned to work together and do all the little things right to succeed. Taylor has been named the CW Coach of the Year before, in 2011, when he also earned the national award. His mentorship at both the individual and team levels are evident in the Cougars' play.

"Congratulations to Dave! Year after year, Dave produces winning seasons and has consistently kept the Cougars at the top of Canada West and in contention for trips to the U SPORTS Championships. He is a master of his craft and I am so very proud to have him leading these young women." ​
​- Lisa Robertson, Director of Sport, Community Engagement & Athlete Development, University of Regina ​
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